Ghosts Season 6 Halloween Special Spoilers Ahead
There’s so much to appreciate about the Ghosts‘ “Halloween 6: The Mirror,” but it also might be the first Halloween special that I can’t imagine rewatching. Without Sam or Pete, everything about it feels wrong, despite the fact that I love knowing Ben Feldman is now a series regular.
Part of the appeal in Ghosts is how it consistently feels cozy, even when everything unfolding in front of us is less than ideal. It’s a solid episode in how everything changes by the end, but when it comes to the cozy wild ride we’re used to, there’s a lot more sadness involved—a lot more pain.
Hetty and Her Sister Shine in the Ghosts Season 6 Halloween Special
As someone whose favorite ghost is Hetty Woodstone, every part of the episode works because of her. Putting aside the Halloween portion of it, the emotional crux of Hetty’s journey shines entirely because of Rebecca Wisocky’s nuanced performance.
Hetty’s scattered, selfish, and often in her own little world. That’s what makes her such a compelling character and, in truth, an absolute delight. It’s what makes every bit of development we get with her, no matter how small, utterly dazzling. It’s what gives her such grounded, gorgeous depth, and why for four seasons now, nothing’s been a miss with her. Watching her reconnect with her sister and understanding where the fascination with Paris came from is something that’s going to stay with me for a long, long time.
That understanding that an idea isn’t yours, but tethered to someone you once loved—a piece of your childhood—is something that always speaks to a sappy part of my brain that leaves me a little speechless. It’s a clever nod and a tender means to bring up that arc when we know Hetty herself can never leave the grounds for Paris. It’s something precious, in a really lovely way, and Ghosts often masters it so subtly that it floors me.
Interestingly, how the episode takes on Hetty and her sister’s reconciliation all while dealing with the loss of Pete adds to the melancholy a bit. It makes an interesting point about how Season 6 can be wildly different from anything we’ve known before, and it changes the fabric of the show in more ways than one. Ghosts is a sitcom, yes, but we can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again. It concerns me that we’re headed closer to an end than a beginning because I love this show too much to lose it, but it’s also part of what’s necessary when it comes to character journeys. In a lot of ways, this Halloween special pushes us toward that, and I’m eager to see what comes next when the show’s back.
And while this episode certainly isn’t as light as the ones we’ve had before, it’s crucial in every way a special like this can be. It’s honest and raw, and the performances complement each other completely. The performances, in every way, make the sadness a bit more bearable.
Further Thoughts
- I can think of many other ways in which Hetty’s eye line could fall to Trevor’s — I miss them so much, you guys.
- It’s always so jarring when Sam isn’t in an episode.
- I’m legitimately a little concerned for Pete and have to keep reminding myself this show’s a sitcom.
- I love Hetty flashbacks with my whole chest!!
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts‘ Season 6 Halloween Special? Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Photo: Bertrand Calmeau/CBS